amused at his odd ways.

"I used to sneak out of my window when I was a boy, so I need not
disturb the aunts, and now I rather like it, for it's the shortest road,
and it keeps me limber when I have no rigging to climb. Good-bye
till breakfast." And away he went down the water-spout, over the
roof, and vanished among the budding honey-suckles below.

"Ain't he a funny guardeen?" exclaimed Phebe, as she went off
with the cups.

"He is a very kind one, I think," answered Rose, following, to
prowl round the big boxes and try to guess which was hers.

When her uncle appeared at sound of the bell, he found her
surveying with an anxious face a new dish that smoked upon the
table.

"Got a fresh trouble, Rosy?" he asked, stroking her smooth head.

"Uncle, are you going to make me eat oatmeal?" asked Rose, in a
tragic tone.

"Don't you like it?"

"I de-test it!" answered Rose, with all the emphasis which a
turned-up nose, a shudder, and a groan could give to the three
words.

"You are not a true Scotchwoman, if you don't like the 'parritch.'